An announcement has been made of a visit by a trade delegation of Spanish companies specializing in agricultural machinery, on April 18 and 19.
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala informed Prensalibre.com that a trade mission of Spanish business people will be visiting the country on April 18 and 19. It will be formed of 15 entrepreneurs from eight Spanish firms belonging to the Spanish Association of Agricultural Machinery.
Unlike other sectors of Panama's dynamic economy, agriculture has not progressed in the last decade.
In the last 10 years, the number of hectares devoted to agriculture has reduced by 70,687, while the number of producers has only increased by 6% to a total of 246,820.
The local economy is beginning to be affected by the negative impact of the road closures by indigenous people in the province of Chiriqui.
The dairy industry, as well as horticulture, fuel transportation and goods such as drinks and beer are facing extra costs associated with recent events.
Economic losses are in the "millions," said Juan Francisco Kiener, president of the Union of Industrialists in Panama. The dairy industry is very concerned, and horticultural products are becoming scarce in supermarkets. Also being affected is the transport of beer, beverages, oil and bread, and the agricultural sectors of Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro", published Prensa.com.
The climate phenomenon known as "La Niña" has caused up to 40% losses in some cultivations.
Virgilio Saldaña, president of Panama's Highland Region Growers' Association; indicated that to make matters worse production costs have soared, in some cases by as much as 50%.
The start of the project, which seeks to reduce the loss of perishable goods, has been delayed due to the lack of statistics from the agriculture industry.
Authorities are currently developing the list of products which would be included in the project, and they expect to invite bids on September.
The project that aims to reduce post harvest losses in Panama started with the creation of the Cold Chain Secretary.
In the first 100 days of the Ricardo Martinelli administration, the Secretary of the Cold Chain, who is still to be named, will have to present a proposal for the program.
More than $16 million per year are lost post harvest, so the center will be built with an investment of $2.6 million.
The study by the Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA) showed the loss volume and noted that it comes from the post-harvest handling of 25 food products. These results provide the basis for the creation of the Center for Post-Harvest Agricultural Technology.
Recognized Brazilian company of backhoe loaders, telescopic, articulated and other types of cranes looking for companies interested in representing the brand and distributing their machinery in Central America and Mexico. The company manufactures and sells telescopic,...
español
1680